Inspiring To Aspire
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UPDATED MAY 2025
Ironically the thing that inspired the creation of this website is also the source of my resentment of feeling the need to tell you my truth. My truth has been a vehicle for positive change for many.
It took me years to chisel my inner peace; to know that no matter what, everything is going to be ok. I WILL be ok until the inevitable like everyone else. Mine will be sooner, but am living an awesome life.
My goal of this website is that you find a story or tip will help make your life better.
I was creating this website for you, but it turns out it was for me too. Typing out each word has been therapeutic in itself- a ‘tap on the shoulder’ to fact check, be honest with myself and give the raw truth like I did in my book.
A sweetheart of a friend told me an inside joke she had with her best friend-sister when alive; She would tell her sister she had plans to go out and (do/buy something) for herself; when the sister would sarcastically reply, “you self-ish bitch!”. Haha!
Since 2011, as soon as the words “I had a brain tumour” leave my lips, I’ve got your undivided attention. If I add after surgery, I had to learn to walk again, I’m called ‘inspiring’. In addition the type is only a 2% rarity, AND only 7 people in the WORLD had it disseminate down my spine and slowly stared to grow (cue the next words, “Wow!” or “holy shit!”). I know. I know….
Over a decade later, the end of the day, I am still the goofy, loud and smart-assed person I was before. I am “Still Melissa”
My knee-jerk reaction to the surprise brain tumour at 28 was to just ‘keep swimming’ like my pet fish Tickles. I took things Day By Day.
Ever since that fateful day in October 2011 I have been choosing to create or jump into opportunities that not only helps others, but also helping me always STANDING BACK UP (physically and emotionally).
Long-term effects from the high-dose radiation treatment years ago are really starting to kick my ass…. but you know me! Determined/stubborn to keep going and bathe in the awesomeness I find. My balance & vision is slowly…. being affected. “Brain Farts” are happening more frequently. It’s an emotionally and physically costly price to pay- considering the alternative.
How do you cope with adversity? Everyone is different, and there are many ways to express to digest.
True to nature I joke about it- like my handmade Halloween Costume of 2022: I was a Brain Fart.
For me, life has been like climbing a mountain- it has periodic places to rest, but overall I just need to keep going. If I don’t keep going, I’ll fall into the quick-sand funk.
The beauty of it is the multiple times a day I just smile to myself and soak up the moment- fully immersed without a care in the world- unapologetically, fearlessly. Cheesy right? I know! It took years to achieve peace
If you don’t be your true self and constantly learn & grow- what’s the point of living? I refuse to just pay bills, get angry at things I can’t/ won’t try to change. I’m going to live as fearless, free, help others & be as independent as best as I can, until I can’t.
I know, I know, I’m ‘talking’ too much. But this is ME, “Still Melissa”: an energetic, creative and determined (stubborn) soul that is driven to make lives better.
Without purpose I take a burn out, re-calibrate and then get back up again.
Never give up. Know that everyone copes differently; learn the new YOU & manage expectations.
Standing Back Up: These 3 categories in yellow (Musical Muses, Public Speaking & Inspired Echoes) shows all 9 stories in how I found the inspiration AND aspiration to stand back up physically and emotionally.
For the past few years I was collecting TIPS for (and by) fellow brain tumour lovelies. It was exhausting asking for tips without getting flagged online as being falsely accused trying to sell something – sometimes to my fault for proudly mentioning I wrote a book :(. Months later while trying to “heard cats” online to do something for a stranger, that idea fell on it’s face. It was the final straw when shown you can get 100’s of tips through that new “GBT”…. GCT? or whatever it’s called. No longer needed. Nice 🙁
Recalibrating…
I’m currently creating an organizer/tracker for those who could use it which benefits the related charity. Since still in the planning stages, I’m not up for sharing more until done!